Cowl pillar for vehicle bodies



MMay 9, 1933. F. .L KUBL COWL PILLAR FOR VEHICLE BODIES Filed March 27, -1929 Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FREDERICK J. KUBLER, OF NEW, YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TOA. S. CAM}'.]?ELLiCOMPANY,l OF EAST BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS cowl. PILLAR Fon VEHICLE BonIEs applicati@ `met March 27, 1929.Y serial 110,350,399.

This invention relates tothe construction of the cowl pillars of vehicle bodies which above the belt line are of metallic construction and of restricted dimension, and the object is to provide an improved constructionfor such a pillar formed chiefly of Inetallic stampings. My invention will be well understood by reference to the following description of an illustrative embodiment thereof shown by way of example in the accompanying drawing, wherein:

' Fig. 1 is a partial Section of the'framework of a vehicle body on a plane intersecting the forward doorV sill and disclosing in elevation the body pillar and cowl bar as seen from the interior of the body, the upper portion of the pillar being broken away;

Figs. 2, 3 and' 4 are sections on a larger scale taken on the like numbered lines of Fig. 1 respectively; and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig.4 3.

Referring to ,the drawing, the body shown by way of example is of composite construction Vcomprising a cowly frame including the cowl bar `7 joining and supported by the wooden uprights 9 extending from the sill 11 to the cowl. To the rear face of the member 9 is secured the body of the pillar which extends above the belt line as a metallic structure to support the roof. The main body of the pillar is conveniently formed of a suitable heavy stamping of steel and embodies the web 13 secured to the rear face of the member 9 which may be reinforced by a forwardly extending flange 15 overlying the inner face of a rabbet 17 at the exterior rear corner of the pillar, which rabbet is adapted to receive the overlap flange of the door. The cowl panel 19 may be flanged about the forward face of this rabbet.

The web 13 and flange 15 extend above the belt to the roof (see Fig. 2) with such modification in shape or width as may be desired, and may be extended above the belt to provide the forward wall 21 of the rabbet for the door overlap and a wall 23 giving the profile of the side of the exposed portion of the pillar above the belt. The interior edge of the web 13 is preferably reinforced above the belt and herein I have shown it as provided with a forwardly extending flange-25 forming an angle in which isseated the rear fiange of a channel 27, the flanges of which face inwardly and provide a guide for a windshield of the'sliding type. This chan-:55 nel may be welded in position.

The construction of the main body of the pillar above the belt just described is an exampleof an assemblage of stamped angular sections of structural strength. In the form "60 described obviously this body portion is open at the front. To complete the contour of the pillar and give it a proper appearance of solidity, I preferably utilize a detachable memr ber which may be readily assembled with the Vbody portion by a movement of lateral approach. This member 29 herein takes the form of a relatively light sheet metal stamping which is preferably provided with ahooky shaped edge 31 adapted to hook` around the '70 forward flange of the channel 27 both to cover the same and to aid in positioning the member 29. The exterior side may be provided with a flange 32 adapted to seat on the l inner face of flange 23. To secure the sheetv vmetal member 29 in position threaded blocks 33 may be welded to the rear face of the same and these are adapted to receive screws 35 entered from the rear face of the web 13 and y tapping into the same. In assembling the parts the hook-shaped edge 31 is hooked over a portion ofthe body of the pillar and-the screws 35 serve to draw the contour-giving member 29 home to its seat. Y y l y It will be noted that the reinforcement?5 provided at the interior edge of the pillar by the channel 27` stops at the cowl. To reinforce the pillar at this point I may utilize suitable means which also serve to incorporate it with the cowl structure, which latter is herein exemplified by the cowl bar 7. Thus I have shown in Figs. 1 and3 an anchor comprising a stamping of generally T shape, the member 37 corresponding to the upright of the T extending along and being secured to the rear of the cowl bar 7 while the member 39 corresponding to the crossbar of the T may lie against the forward face of the web 13 and be welded thereto, thus to provide `an efficient fish-plate for the 10 pillar substantially at the belt line and reinforcing it at the point where the upper portion of the pillar rises from the cowl.

When t-he pillar is utilized as a hinge pil- 5 lar the part 39 of the anchorage member may also be utilized to aid in supporting the center hinge. Referring to Fig. -3 I have herein shown the leaf 41 of this hinge which is carried by the body as resting against the K10 forward faceof the web 18 and secured thereto by screws 43 entering the pillar through its rear face and tapping into the leaf. As shown best in Fig. 5, thel central Aportion of the part 39 may be offset to receive the. leafr i5 between it and the web 13 whereby the first receives afirm Asupport fromthe two parts, the extremities'of the strap ory fish-plate 39 being welded to web 13 above and'below this offset in the manner' already explained.

I am aware that the invention may be embodied in other specificrforms without departing from the spirit or essential. attributes thereof', and I therefore desire the present embodiment to be considered inallrespects as illustrative and not restrictive; reference being had gto the appended claims rather than to the foregoing description to indicate the scope ofthe invention.

I claim: 5' i 1. In a closed vehicle a frame including a sheet metal body pillar having a transverse web, a hinge having a leaf overlying 'said web atthe side remote from the door opening and a strapv overlying said leaf and; secured to said web at either side of the leaf, said strap having a transversely extending arm anchored to another part of the frame ofl the vehicle.

2.V In a closed vehiclea frame including a cowl bar and a stamped metal body pillar comprising a transverse web and. an exterior flange extending at the cowl from a point below the beltto the roof, means providing an'interior vflange above the belt, a member bridging said flanges and defining the exterior contour of the pillarabove the belt, and a fish-plate for said web crossing theline -o'fthe belt received in the space between said flanges and having a lateral extension an'- ehoring the pillar to the cowl bar.

3'. In a closed vehicle a forward corner pillar comprising a metal stamping having a having a hook-like edge to engage about the forward edge of said channel and mechanical fastening devices for securing said member seated on said flange. *l

5. In a closed vehicle a forward corner pillar comprising a unitary assemblage of stamped angular sections and 1a ysheet metal member adapted to be assembled therewith by a movement of lateral approach andV defining the contour of the forward facey of 75 the pillar, said' member having a hook-like edge to engage an edge portion of said assemblage and mechanical fastening devices remote from the edge for seating said member in position with its edge soengaged.

y G. In -a kclosed vehicle a :forward kcorner pillar comprising a stamped'metal body portion including a transverse web and forwardly directed vstiflening flanges, and a sheet metalmember adapted toibe assembled therewith by a movement vof. lateral approach and cooperating with said flanges to complete the contour of the pillar, and in itself defi-ning the contour of the forward face thereof,"said member lhaving a hook-like'edge to engage about an edge portion of'sa'idE body and mechanical fastening devices remote from'the edge for seating said member in position `with its edge soengaged.y f

7. In a' closed vehiclev a? ,forward corner 29.5 pillar comprisinga Abody portion of stamped metal includinga transverse web, an yexterior, forwardly extending-flange and an' interior portion presented to the side of the windshield, and a sheetlmetal'member defini100 ing the forward contour of the; pillar and adapted tobe assembled .therewith by a movement of lateral approach,r said member having a hook-like edge engaging sai-d interior portion andmechanical fastening devices re- 2105 mote from said edge for securing the member in position. andholding` itsr edge in such engagement. In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.y lilo J. KUBLER.

FREDERICK transverse web and an exterior flange, an inwardly facing channel at the interior edge of said weby providing a guide for the windshield', and a member defining the contour of Ythe forward face of said pillar extending between said channel and flange.

4.. In a closed vehicle a forward corner pillar comprising a metal stamping having a transverse web and an exterior flange, an inwardly facing channel at the interior edge of said web providing a guide for the windshield, and a sheet metal member defining the contour of the forward face of the pillar 

